After a painful absence from the last two editions of the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations, Tanzania’s Serengeti Boys are returning with a burning desire to prove their mettle.
Under the guidance of coach Aggrey Morris, the team is setting its sights not only on a strong showing in Morocco but also on securing a coveted spot at the FIFA U-17 World Cup.
The road to glory, however, will be fraught with challenges. The draw for the newly expanded tournament, set to take place in Morocco from March 30 to April 19, 2025, has placed Tanzania in a formidable Group A alongside hosts Morocco, neighboring rivals Uganda, and the formidable Southern African champions, Zambia.
This group stage presents a stark contrast to Tanzania’s previous experiences. Their last appearance, as hosts in 2019, ended in bitter disappointment, with the Serengeti Boys bowing out after losing all three group matches against Uganda, Angola, and Nigeria.
Their debut in Rwanda in 2017 also saw them exit in the group stage, narrowly missing out on a knockout berth.
Despite the daunting task ahead, coach Aggrey Morris remains optimistic and resolute. “We have seen the draw and now we know our opponents,” Morris stated, acknowledging the strength of their group.
“The teams in our group, Morocco, Uganda, Zambia are all good and competitive teams, and each team is better. The draw gives us the opportunity to prepare well to reach our goals.”
The former Tanzanian national team defender, known for his hard-tackling style and recognized as the 2011/12 Azam FC Player of the Season, emphasized the team’s unwavering ambition.
“The group is difficult; every team needs a chance. We are ready for the competition, we will prepare better to reach our goals and our dreams of qualifying for the World Cup will push us to give it our best,” he concluded.
The draw has ignited a buzz across the continent. Group A has been labeled a “group of death” by Uganda’s coach Brian Ssenyondo, further highlighting the competitive nature of the upcoming tournament.
Zambia’s coach Ian Bakala, meanwhile, is banking on the experience gained in previous editions to guide his team to a better showing.
The full draw for the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 AFCON Morocco 2025 is as follows:
- GROUP A: Morocco (Hosts), Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia
- GROUP B: Burkina Faso, UNIFFAC 1, South Africa, Egypt
- GROUP C: Senegal, Gambia, Somalia, Tunisia
- GROUP D: Mali, Angola, Cote d’Ivoire, UNIFFAC 2
